Mickey Mouse is back – and looking better than ever

Disney may be turning away from hand-drawn animation for feature-length films in favour of 3D CGI, but it has just announced a series of nineteen 2D shorts with a distincitvely retro look. Not only that, but the new shorts will feature the studio’s classic characters –Mickey Mouse, girlfriend Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, etc. – in a distinctively retro look. Based on the first one, Croissant de Triomphe, which has been released online, the style should really work well.

Mickey in particular just doesn’t work in 3D, despite preschool channel Playhouse Disney trying its best, as well as videogame Disney Epic Mickey. The insistence on Mickey’s ears always appearing round and a particular distance apart often results in them gliding over the 3D model’s head whenever he turns. This 2D style, in comparison, looks gorgeous – although it does take some other liberties with the character designs.